| Hey, it really is possible to get through the holidays or | | | | temperature |
| a big celebration without depriving yourself and | | | | 2/3 cup skim or part skim ricotta |
| suffering or without over feeding yourself with | | | | 5 large eggs |
| food. Imagine that. You can eat well. You can | | | | 1 ½ cup sugar-free Splenda (sucralose) or |
| enjoy your food, and you can still lose weight. Or at | | | | sugar-free sweetener of your choice |
| the very least, you can eat well and enjoy your food | | | | 15 ounce can pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) |
| without gaining weight, which is a really big | | | | 2 teaspoons cinnamon |
| accomplishment, too. | | | | 1 teaspoon ground ginger |
| The easy secret is to be prepared ahead of time | | | | ¼ teaspoon ground cloves |
| with foods you love. For me, that means making | | | | 2 teaspoons sugar-free vanilla Freshly grated |
| myself something with pumpkin in it. Pumpkin is a | | | | nutmeg |
| perennial and popular holiday favorite for many | | | | Garnish: (optional) |
| people. All that's required is a slight shift in | | | | 1/3 cup pecans or hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely |
| ingredients so the recipe works better for you, which | | | | chopped |
| I've conveniently done for you below. | | | | Directions: |
| This recipe merges the fabulous flavor of pumpkin, | | | | Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat bottom and |
| the satisfying and filling texture of cheesecake, as | | | | sides of a 10-inch spring form pan with canola oil. |
| well as healthier sugar-free and low-fat ingredients all | | | | Use canola spray or put some canola oil on a paper |
| in one convenient, simple and delicious recipe. Try it | | | | towel and rub bottom and sides of pan with the |
| and you'll have the exquisite experience of heaven on | | | | oil. |
| your tongue. The recipe works for everyone no | | | | Put cream cheese in large bowl and beat with electric |
| matter what kind of weight loss regime you | | | | mixer until smooth. Add ricotta, eggs, pumpkin, |
| prefer. | | | | Splenda, vanilla and all spices except the nutmeg. |
| It's almost impossible to find a low-fat, sugar-free | | | | Beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared |
| recipe in a store or on the internet, but all it takes is | | | | pan. Grate nutmeg all over the top of batter in |
| about 15 minutes to shop for the ingredients and | | | | pan. |
| another 30 minutes to make it for yourself. You are | | | | Bake for 1 hour or until cake rises and slightly |
| so worth the small 45-minute effort of having | | | | browns. Turn off heat and leave in oven for 1 more |
| healthier, skinnifying foods that taste good and that | | | | hour. Remove from heat, cover with plastic wrap |
| you can eat without guilt. Now go do it. I'm | | | | and chill for at least 4 hours before serving. |
| rooting for you. Karen Bentley | | | | Bring cheesecake to room temperature at least 15 |
| Ingredients: | | | | minutes before serving. Remove from spring form |
| Canola oil or canola spray for pan preparation | | | | ring. Sprinkle with toasted nuts. Serve. Enjoy. |
| 24 ounces low-fat cream cheese at room | | | | |